Center gudgeon adjustment means



g- 29, 1957 K. SCHNEIDER ETAL. 3,338,425

CENTER GUDGEON ADJUSTMENT MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 17.. 1965INVENTORSZ K Sam/505R /7( A. Bnpo/v 4fTOR/VEY g 29, 1967 K. SCHNEIDERETAL 3,338,425

CENTER GUDGEON ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed Sept. 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet AIll we y mw w HE R w m .MMA 55 4 .4 H

United States Patent O 3,338,425 CENTER GUDGEON ADJUSTMENT MEANS KarlSchneider and Henry A. Baron, Greendale, WlS., assignors toHarnischfeger Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of WisconsinFiled Sept. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 488,096 9 Claims. (Cl. 212-66) Thepresent invention relates generally to earth working equipment such aspower excavators, shovels, draglines, cranes and the like. Equipment ofthis type has a lower car body with an endless track (crawler) sectionon which is rotatably mounted the upper section containing the shovelattachment and necessary machinery.

A vertically extending center gudgeon holds the revolvable upper sectionfirmly and accurately on the lower car body and is provided with meansof adjustment to maintain the proper vertical running clearance wherebythe upper section can rotate smoothly on the car body. The gudgeon andhub in the car body are originally shrinkfitted together, but as thevarious bearing surfaces and thrust washers wear, the gudgeon must beadjusted or tightened to eliminate any looseness or backlash. In otherwords, the upper section will begin to rock due to this wear and it isimperative to prevent this rock. It is to this problem of adjusting thegudgeon that the present invention is directed.

Since the thrust faces of the assembly are subjected to considerablevertical loading during the digging cycle the resulting wear must beproperly and promptly compensated for to prevent excessive rocking ofthe upper section on the lower car body and consequent shockloading onthe two units and the center gudgeon itself. Simple and effective meansmust be found to induce the operator to make proper adjustment withoutdelay.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a powershovel or the like having an improved adjustment means located at thelower end of the gudgeon for adjusting the latter without disturbing theupper end of the gudgeon assembly, said adjustment being made in arelatively convenient and accurate manner.

Another aspect relates to means for conveniently lifting the gudgeon upin its mounting for replacement of the spherical thrust washer at theupper end of the gudgeon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power shovel or the likehaving an improved mounting means for the upper end of a center gudgeon.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter asthis disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a power shovel embodying the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the lower section or car body of theshovel shown in FIGURE 1; I

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, vertical, cross sectional view through thecenter gudgeon shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal, sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross section taken along line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, the upper section 1 of theshovel is rotatably mounted on the lower car body 2 about the verticalaxis formed by the center gudgeon 3 and is supported on theanti-friction roller circle 4 in the known manner.

The lower car body 2 includes the heavy steel frame 5 in which is weldedthe vertically extending tubular hub 6.

The upper section 1 includes a heavy steel frame 8 in which is weldedthe vertical hub or sleeve 9.

The tubular center gudgeon 3 extends through hub 6 to frame 5 by boltmeans 36.

3,338,425 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 and sleeve 9 and has a radial shoulder10 formed integrally on its upper end to which is welded the steelthrust ring 11. Ring 11 is generally of inverted cup shape so as to fitover and complement the spherical thrust washer 13 on which it rests. Arecess 14 is formed in the upper end of sleeve 9 and a plate 15 sets inthis recess. The washer 13 is of the split type, being formed in halveswhich also set in the recess 14 and are thereby held to gether. Washer13 rests on plate 15 which in turn is fixed by dowel pins 19 to thesleeve 9.

A cup member 20 surrounds the gudgeon and extends upwardly above thespherical surface 13a of the thrust washer 13 whereby lubricating greasecan be supplied via inlet 22 to a space 23 above a bearing sleeve 24.Grease grooves 25 and 26 are formed in the upper and lower surfaces,respectively, of the washer 13. In this manner a continuous supply ofgrease is provided for both surfaces of the ring 13 and also the sleeve24. Radial holes 27 also act to convey grease.

It will also be noted that a removable shield 28 is mounted on a ledge29 on the top of the thrust ring and which extends radially beyond thevertical sleeve 20 to prevent entry of foreign matter into the assembly.This shield forms an overhanging portion beneath which the cup member 20extends to substantially enclose the washer.

Heretofore, the lubrication fitting was incorporated in the centergudgeon and had to be hand serviced independently from any centralizedor automatic lubrication since its location in respect to the revolvingupper constantly changed as the upper revolved around the stationarycenter gudgeon. The new grease arrangement can be connected to anyautomatic lubrication system. Elimination of adjustment and lubricationon top end of the gudgeon is important from safety and maintenancestandpoint especially since the area immediately above the centergudgeon is occupied by the high voltage collector system (not shown)which carries high voltage from the ground cable to the revolving upper.

Referring now .to the area adjacent the lower end of the gudgeon, alarge nut 32 is threaded on the lower end of the gudgeon 3 and its outerperipheral portion is formed as a gear 33 for constant mesh with a wormgear 34 which extends normally to the gudgeon. The worm 34 is rotatablyjournalled in a bracket 35 which is fixed More specifically, the worm isjournalled in split bearings 37 and 38 which are integral pants of thebracket 35 and the bores of the bearing are slightly undersized.

Thus by tightening the cap screws 39 which extend into the bracket theworm pinion assembly can be locked in adjusted position. Furthermore,due to the split construction of the bearings, it is possible to use aone piece Worm pinion and a one piece bronze thrust washer 40 on eachend.

In addition, the actual center distance between the Worm 3'4 and thegear portion 33 of the nut 32 is reduced rom the theoretical distance sothat by tightening the bearings caps, further locking or clamping actionof the assembly is provided.

The means for turning the adjusting worm 34 is shown as comprising asquare end 42 on the worm which can be conveniently engaged by a ratchetwrench 43, notwithstanding the cramped quarters for making thisadjustment.

The lowermost end of the gudgeon is splined to the internal spline 44 ofthe bracket 35. This spline connection locks the gudgeon against turningin respect to lower frame 5.

Only a minimum clearance between the lower edge of nut 32 and theadjoining surface of bracket 35 is provided. By reversing the rotationof the worm, the center 3 gudgeon can be raised for the purpose ofreplacing the upper split spherical thrust washer 13.

A conveniently placed limit gauge 46 is mounted at the lower edge ofbracket 35 for checking wear and ultimate replacement of sphericalwasher 13 by observing the distance between the lower edge of thegudgeon and the edge of the indicator.

Any suitable means may be provided for turning the worm such as a handratchet 43, or this can be automated by means of any torque arrangement,such as hydraulic, air, or electric torque motors with proper gearreductions or reciprocating means such as electric solenoids, air orhydraulic rams with the proper ratchet arrangements.

In order to remove the split washer 13 when worn, it is only necessaryto lift shield 28 and cup member 20 off the assembly and then turn theworm 34 to raise the gudgeon sufficiently to be able to lift the halvesof the washer 13 and pull them in a radial direction and clear of thegudgeon.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention:

- We claim:

1. A power shovel or the like comprising a lower car body and an upperrevolvable section having an earth working tool mounted thereon, saidcar body and upper section each having a steel frame, an anti-frictionroller circle mounted between said frames for supporting said revolvablesection on said car body, a tubular center gudgeon extending throughsaid frames and having a thrust ring at its upper end and extendingradially therefrom and supported on said upper section frame, saidgudgeon having an adjusting nut means threadably engaged on its lowerend and bearing against said car body frame for drawing the uppersection down tightly on said roller circle and against said car body,said nut means including a gear portion, a worm gear rotatably carriedby said lower frame and in mesh with said gear portion, and means foradjustment of said worm gear and consequent adjustment of said nut onsaid gudgeon.

2. A shovel as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that eachframe has a vertically disposed tubular hub welded therein and in axialalignment with one another, and said center gudgeon extends through saidhubs.

3. A shovel as defined in claim 1 including a thrust washer carried onthe upper section frame and located directly beneath said ring, saidring bearing on said washer for support thereby.

4. A shovel as defined in claim 1 including a bracket mounted on saidcar body frame and through which the lower end of said gudgeon extends,and a vertical spline connection between said bracket and said gudgeonlower end for preventing turning of said gudgeon relative to said carbody frame, said worm gear being carried on said bracket.

5. A power shovel or the like comprising a lower car body and an upperrevolvable section having an earth working tool mounted thereon, saidcar body and upper section each having a steel frame, and anti-frictionroller circle mounted between said frames for supporting said revolvablesection on said car body, said frames each having a vertically disposedtubular hub in vertical alignment with one another, a tubular centergudgeon extending through said hubs and having a thrust ring at itsupper end and extending radially therefrom, a thrust washer carried onthe upper section frame and located directly beneath said ring, saidring bearing on said washer for support thereby, said gudgeon having anadjusting nut threadably engaged on its lower end and bearing againstsaid car body frame for drawing the upper section down tightly on saidroller circle and against said car body, said nut having a gear portion,a worm gear rotatably carried by said lower frame and in constant meshwith said gear portion, and means for adjustment of said worm gear andconsequent adjustment of said nut on said gudgeon.

6. A power shovel or the like comprising a lower car body and an upperrevolvable section having an earth working tool mounted thereon, saidcar body and upper section each having a steel frame, an anti-frictionroller circle mounted between said frames for supporting said revolvablesection on said car body, a tubular center gudgeon extending throughsaid frames and having a thrust ring at its upper end and extendingradially therefrom, a thrust washer carried on the upper section frameand located directly beneath said ring, said ring bearing on said washerfor support thereby, said gudgeon having an adjusting nut threadablyengaged on its lower end and bearing against said car body frame fordrawing the upper section down tightly on said roller circle and againstsaid car body, a bracket mounted on said car body frame and throughwhich the lower end of said gudgeon extends, a vertical splineconnection between said bracket and said gudgeon lower end forpreventing turning of said gudgeon relative to said car body frame, saidnut having a gear portion, a worm gear rotatably carried by said bracketand in constant mesh with said gear portion, and means on said worm gearfor adjustment thereof and consequent adjustment of said nut on saidgudgeon.

7. A power shovel or the like comprising a lower car body and an upperrevolvable section having an earth working tool mounted thereon, saidcar body and upper section each having a steel frame, an anti-frictionroller circle mounted between said frames for supporting said revolvablesection on said car body, said frames each having a vertically disposedtubular hub in vertical alignment which one another, a tubular centergudgeon extending through said hubs and having a thrust ring at itsupper end and extending radially therefrom and supported on said uppersection frame, said gudgeon having an adjusting nut threadably engagedon its lower end and bearing against said car body frame for drawing theupper section down tightly on said roller circle and against said carbody, a bracket mounted on said car body frame and through which thelower end of said gudgeon extends, a vertical spline connection betweensaid bracket and said gudgeon lower end for preventing turning of saidgudgeon relative to said car body frame, said nut having a gear portion,a worm gear rotatably carried by said bracket and in constant mesh withsaid gear portion, and means on said worm gear for adjustment thereofand consequent adjustment of said nut on said gudgeon.

8. A power shovel or the like comprising a lower car body and an upperrevolvable section having an earth working tool mounted thereon, saidcar body and upper section each having a steel frame, an anti-frictionroller circle mounted between said frames for supporting said revolvablesection on said car body, said frames each having a vertically disposedtubular hub in vertical alignment with one another, a tubular centergudgeon extending through said hubs and having a thrust ring at itsupper end and extending radially therefrom, a bearing sleeve betweensaid gudgeon and the upper section frame hub, a thrust washer carried onthe upper section frame hub and located directly beneath said ring, saidring bearing on said washer for support thereby and having a radiallyoverhanging portion over said washer, and a cup member around saidgudgeon and beneath said washer and extending upwardly beneath saidoverhanging portion to thereby substantially enclose said washer andring and retain lubricating material therebetween and permit saidmaterial to lubricate said bearing sleeve, said gudgeon having anadjusting nut threadably engaged on its lower end and bearing againstsaid car body frame for drawing the upper section down tightly on saidroller circle and against said car body.

9. A power shovel or the like comprising a lower car body and an upperrevolvable section having an earth working tool mounted thereon, saidcar body and upper section each having a steel frame, an anti-frictionroller circle mounted between said frames for supporting said revolvablesection on said car body, said frames each having a vertically disposedtubular hub in vertical align *"ment with one another, a tubular centergudgeon extending through said hubs and having a thrust ring at itsupper end and extending radially therefrom, a bearing sleeve betweensaid gudgeon and the upper section frame hub, a thrust washer carried onthe upper section frame hub and located directly beneath said ring, saidring bearing on said washer for support thereby and having a radiallyoverhanging portion over said Washer, a cup member around said gudgeonand beneath said washer and extending upwardly beneath said overhangingportion to thereby substantially enclose said Washer and ring and retainlubricating material therebetween and permit said material to lubricatesaid bearing sleeve, said gudgeon having an adjusting nut threadablyengaged on its lower end and bearing against said car body frame fordrawing References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,572,134 2/1926 Fylsse212-69 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,026,377 2/1953 Germany.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner.

1. A POWER SHOVEL OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A LOWER CAR BODY AND AN UPPERREVOLVABLE SECTION HAVING AN EARTH WORKING TOOL MOUNTED THEREON, SAIDCAR BODY AND UPPER SECTION EACH HAVING A STEEL FRAME, AN ANTI-FRICTIONROLLER CIRCLE MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID FRAMES FOR SUPPORTING SAID REVOLVABLESECTION ON SAID CAR BODY, A TUBULAR CENTER GUDGEON EXTENDING THROUGHSAID FRAME AND HAVING A THRUST RING AT ITS UPPER END AND EXTENDINGRADIALLY THEREFROM AND SUPPORTED ON SAID UPPER SECTION FRAME, SAIDGUDGEON HAVING AN ADJUSTING NUT MEANS THREADABLY ENGAGED ON ITS LOWEREND AND BEARING AGAINST SAID CAR BODY FRAME FOR DRAWING THE UPPERSECTION DOWN TIGHTLY ON SAID ROLLER CIRCLE AND AGAINST SAID CAR BODY,SAID NUT MEANS INCLUDING A GEAR PORTION, A WORM GEAR ROTATABLY CARRIEDBY SAID LOWER FRAME AND IN MESH WITH SAID GEAR PORTION, AND MEANS FORADJUSTMENT OF SAID WORM GEAR AND CONSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT OF SAID NUT ONSAID GUDGEON.